Respirator.



6 0 9 1 1 l HUI E D D E T N B T A P J. MORGAN.

RESPIRATOR.

PPLIoATIoN nun P111314, 190a.

JAMES MORGAN, OF RANDFONTEIN, TRANSVAAL.

RESPIBATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed February 14, 1906- Serial No. 301.093.

T0 at whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JAMES MORGAN, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Randfontein, Transvaal, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Respirators, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to respirators primarily intended for the use ofminers.

As is well known, the inhalation by miners of dust-laden air produced byrock-drilling operations is largely responsible for the high rate ofmortality among such workers resulting from miners phthisis,tuberculosis, and other pulmonary diseases. A respirator constructed inaccordance with my invention may be also used by millers or flour orother mill workers, file-cutters, dry-grinders in cutlery-works, andother persons the nature of whose. occupation owing to the disseminationof dust in the surrounding atmosphere is such as to cause a high rate ofmortality from the causes hereinbefore enumerated. The respirator mayalso be treated so as to neutralize any noxious or poisonous fumes orgases which may have deleterious effects on such workers bylowering'their vitality or otherwise.

In respirators heretofore provided for the purposes above specified theyhave mostly been so constructed as to envelop the greater portion of theface and in particular the nose and mouth. This form of respirator isoppressive to the wearer, as it overheats that portion of the facecovered by it, and owing to the air exhaled, in particular from themouth, passing directly through the filtering medium said medium ismoistened or dampened, which moistens the dust deposited on said mediumand causes it to clog or close the interstices of the latter. Suchrespirators are objectionable from the users point of view, as owing totheir completely covering the mouth they render expectoration andspeaking inconvenient, if not almost impossible. Finally, suchrespirators render breathing much more difficult, so that they arefrequently discarded by miners and other workers on that account, moreparticularly in deep-level mines, where greater heat is encountered inthe workings.

Now my invention is designed to obviate the above defects and to providea more durable respirator and one in using which it will be possible forthe miner or other user to smoke, if he so desire. It allows the user tospeak freely.

To facilitate the furtherand detailed description of my invention, Iwill make reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming partof this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improvedrespirator in use and Fig. 2 is an elevation, looking into thenosepiece, with the filtering medium removed.

1 represents the nosepiece, which, as shown, is shaped to fit the face,so as to inclose the nose and in particular the nostrils, 1 being theflexible padding lining the outer edge of the same. In the bottom ofthis nose-piece 1, immediately below the nostrils, is formed an aperture2. fitted a rigid hollow cylindrical piece 3.

4 represents the filter proper, which consists of the perforated metalor other suitable case fitted with the covers 5 6, top and bottom. 0Wrapped round the casing 4 of the filter is a piece of flannel or othersuitable closely-woven textile material or fabric 7.

In the aperture is This fabric 7 is secured by means of elastic bands 8or in any other convenient manner. If desired, a sponge may be placedinside the casing 4, through which the air drawn in by the act ofbreathing will have to pass. The textile fabric 7, wrapped round thecasing 4, and the sponge, if the latter is employed, may be moistenedwith a suitable antiseptic or other fluid with the object, ofneutralizing or rendering foul gases innocuous. To the bottom cover 6 ofthe casing 4 is attached a chain 9 and bar 10, which serve for securingthe filter to a buttonhole of a shirt or coat or otherwise to the personof the user. The

top cover 5 of the casing 4 is constructed with a rigid hollowcylindrical projection 11.

12 is a flexible tube of rubber or other suitable material, which at oneend fits over the cylindrical projection 3 on the nose-piece 1 and atits other extremity projects over the cylindrical projection 11 on thetop cover 5. This tube 12 serves for placing the interior of thenose-piece 1 in communication with the interior of the casing 4 of thefilter. The tube 12 at or in proximity to its upper end or point ofattachment to the nose-piece 1 is constructed with a branch 13, which isfitted over a mouthpiece 14. The provision of the mouthpiece 14 allowsthe user either to inhale or exhale through the mouth in addition to orinstead of through the nose. Should the user desire to speak,themouthpiece 14 may be removed and the aperture 15 in the sametemporarily closed by means of the thumb or finger. the mouthpiece 14may be removed and closed by means of a temporary plug.

The respirator is secured on the face of the wearer by means of anelastic or other suitable band 16, which is attached to the nosepiece 1at opposite sides and passes round the back of the head.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent,is

1. In a respirator of the nature indicated, the combination with anose-piece constructed with an aperture beneath the nostrils and with arigid cylindricalpro'jection around said aperture, a filter-separatefrom said nose-piece and Consisting of a perfo rated casing, textilematerial covering the perforations in said casing and means forretaining said material thereon, said casing be ing closed top andbottom and constructed at one end with a hollow cylindrical exten- 'sioncommunicating with the interior, a flexible tube fitting at one end theprojection'on the nose-apiece and at the other end the extension on thecover of-the filter-casing, the tube being formed with a branch inproXim-' ity to'its upper end and a mouthpiece'fitted in said branch,and means for securingthe Should he desire to smoke,

casing and elastic bands for retaining @said material round said casing,a chain andbar for attaching the filter to the clothing of the wearer,on the bottom cover of the casing and a hollow cylindricalextensioncommunieating with said casing, a flexible tube tightly fittingat one end the cylindrical pro jection on the nose-piece and at theother end the cylindrical extension of the filter-casing cover, a branchon said tube and a mouthpiece fitted in said branch, substantially asdescribed. v

' In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

- JAMES MORGAN. Witnesses:

CHAs; OVENDALE, R. OVENDALE.

